Paul L. Newby II | The Grand Rapids PressKentwood Mayor Richard Root celebrates with his supporters as they receive the results of the 2-mill tax increase for police and fire.KENTWOOD -- Voters decided police and fire protection is worth paying for, easily passing a public safety tax that got a favorable vote in every single precinct.

The fire department will gain two more firefighters and the police department will add back five officers and a crime analyst, now that voters approved 2 mills for police and fire that will raise about $4 million in the first year.

Mayor Richard Root said as soon as a city budget is finalized later this month, the police and fire departments will restore some of the jobs lost last October. More importantly, Root said, the millage should sustain city police and fire services at current levels through 2016 or longer.

"It's about sustainability for the community and making sure we have funds to pay for police and fire now and in the future," Root said.

"It was a matter of educating the people about the need," said Laurie Sheldon, who led a citizen committee supporting the millage. "We need our police and fire protection. We put in a lot of hours putting together a website, and just talking to people to give them the facts."

She credited fire department members with knocking on doors citywide to answer questions and get information to people.

Root pledged that commissioners will be good stewards of city funds and look at ways to consolidate services with other communities.

"We'll have to be as diligent as we ever have been. We're going to work hard and continue to look at every expense," Root said.

In the past the city has subsidized police and fire funds with $4.9 million from the general fund, and Root expects that will continue.

But not having to take additional funds from the general fund will greatly ease but probably not eliminate cuts to city programs like parks and recreation, officials said.

City leaders still are considering reducing hours at City Hall. Since 2006, the city has eliminated 45 staff positions.